What Training Approach on an eSourcing Platform Do You Prefer?

If you wanted to get the best RFP results, what training approach on eSourcing would you prefer?

This should be a key evaluation point in choosing an eSourcing platform.

Effective training will lead to an efficient and timely implementation and improved adoption by your team. This should help you deliver quick wins and an immediate ROI.

Unfortunately, it is easy to become enamored with elaborate demonstrations or an extensive list of functionality and features.

People typically want to solve the problems they deal with on a day-to-day basis.

In my professional career, I have given well over one hundred seminars and webinars.

My presentations contain a blend of concepts and detailed examples. My examples are based on actual events since most attendees like to see what has worked in real world situations.

The questions attendees ask always start something like this: “I have this situation…”.

I understand this. When I am evaluating a new tool or system, I want to know if it will make my life easier by solving my biggest issues.

I also want to know how quickly and easily the system can be implemented.

Here are some key things that I prefer in a training program. See if you agree.

  • Hands-on training on upcoming events by a sourcing pro who has been in my shoes.
  • Realtime phone and chat access to procurement professionals to answer functional questions.
  • Intuitive onscreen tips to answer common issues.
  • A list of MAQ (Most Common Questions) organized by type of issue with relevant examples as appropriate.
  • A searchable project warehouse of short training videos for common tasks.
  • The ability to schedule procurement strategy calls to review the most successful approaches for specific spend categories.

If the sourcing tool you are considering offered all this training, I believe your success would be assured.

Here are some training methods that haven’t worked for me:

  • Thick manuals
  • General videos
  • Group based training
  • A help desk staffed by well-meaning people who have never been in my shoes.

On the last point, some help desk people are really good but most have been trained how to solve issues. This is different than living with issues and the frustration they bring in the field.

All the features and functionality in the world won’t help you if it takes forever to implement or if it never adopted by your team.

I believe that training should help you quickly solve the day-to-day issues that are making your life difficult. If it does, then quick wins will be the result.

Action Step:  Every organization can get better. Finding and creating success is often a matter of taking the first step. If you are uncertain where to start, a procurement professional like myself can provide guidance and expertise to help your organization achieve the results you want. If you would like to explore this topic in greater detail, please contact me.

If you want to explore a purchasing or procurement topic in greater detail, I invite you to request 30-minute discovery conversation. In my experience the next step will be apparent at the end of the call. I never assume that my recommendations will be right for everyone, so don’t expect a sales pitch. You can reach me at 973-936-9672.

Organizations of all sizes are reducing costs and increasing efficiency, without changing the way they conduct business. If you would like to know how, simply give me a call or send me an email with your contact information and the best time to reach you.

 

You Won’t Drift to Success©

Think about it.

Until Next Time, I Wish You Great Success in Your Business and in Your Life

Mike Jeffries